Today is 2nd February; it is 40 days since Christmas Day and today we celebrate Candlemas – the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. When Jesus was 40 days old, Mary and Joseph took him to the temple to present him to the Lord as a rite of purification.

There watching and waiting and guided by the Holy Spirit were two prophets Anna and Simeon. When they saw the 40 day old baby Jesus they praised God. Simeon said, “Now, master, you let your servant go in peace, my own eyes have the seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people. A light to bring light to the nations and glory for your people Israel.” And Anna told everyone who was looking for God’s redemption that it was here and now.

Simeon and Anna see God’s salvation and redemption for the world in this 40 day old baby. Jesus had not done anything yet – just be born, feed, cry and everything else that babies do. He had not yet taught about the kingdom, healed anyone or performed any miracles, he had not been baptized or transfigured, he has not been betrayed, suffered or died on the cross, he had not yet been resurrected. These actions and events are where we would usually say that we see God’s saving love revealed, but Simeon sees God’s salvation in this tiny baby. God is present in Jesus, in his being, in who he is simply as a human person. In his person and being he is God present with us.

We catch our own glimpses of salvation in our lives. We don’t have a baby in front of us, but we do know the rest of the story. We have the words of the gospels, the grace of the sacraments and the fellowship of God’s people. How much more do we need? There is a line in a prayer I love: “Jesus, with you by my side enough has been given.” This Candlemas, let us give thanks for God’s light with us and within us as a light for the world. And may we know that in that little light enough has already been given. Amen.